Gombe governorship: PDP to conduct fresh primary, obey court order

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The Peoples Democratic Party has said it will conduct a fresh governorship primary election in Gombe State in compliance with a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the process that produced former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, as its candidate for the 2027 election.

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The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Haruna Mohammed Jungudo, said in a statement on Thursday that the PDP would carefully study the judgment and take the necessary steps to implement the court’s directives.

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The Federal High Court sitting in Gombe nullified Pantami’s emergence as the PDP governorship candidate and ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary within 30 days.

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The judgment, delivered by Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, followed a pre-election suit filed by PDP governorship aspirant Usman Aliyu Garry, who challenged the process that produced Pantami as the party’s candidate.

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Garry argued that the process did not comply with the PDP’s guidelines and relevant electoral provisions.

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Pantami emerged as the PDP candidate through voice affirmation at a governorship primary held in May 2026, after defecting from the All Progressives Congress. He was subsequently presented by the PDP as its sole candidate in June.

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Reacting to the judgment, Jungudo said the party remained committed to internal democracy, due process and adherence to its constitution, electoral guidelines and relevant laws.

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The statement read, “The Peoples Democratic Party has noted the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Gombe, which nullified the Party’s earlier Governorship Primary Election in Gombe State and ordered the conduct of a fresh primary.

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“The PDP, as a responsible and law-abiding political party, is a strong respecter of the rule of law and the authority of the judiciary. The Party will, therefore, carefully study the judgment and take immediate steps to ensure full compliance with the directives of the Court.

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“The PDP remains firmly committed to the principles of internal democracy, due process, fairness and strict adherence to its Constitution, Electoral Guidelines and the applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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“Accordingly, the Party will commence the necessary processes towards the conduct of a fresh Governorship Primary in Gombe State in compliance with the judgment.”

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The party said the date, timetable and other details of the fresh primary would be announced to aspirants, stakeholders, party members and the general public after the necessary arrangements had been concluded.

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“The PDP calls on all its members, supporters and stakeholders in Gombe State to remain calm, law-abiding and united as the Party takes the necessary steps to implement the judgment,” the statement added.

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